From Stardom to Survival: U.S. Basketball Star Jarred Shaw Battles Chronic Illness in Indonesian Prison

Former IBL champion Jarred Shaw battles Crohn's disease in an Indonesian prison after a drug conviction. Read about his 26-month sentence and the fight for medical care.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 24, 2026, 6:33 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Guardian

A Dramatic Fall from Professional Grace

The professional trajectory of Jarred Shaw, a 6ft 11in Texan who enjoyed a successful career spanning Lebanon, Japan, and Uruguay, took a catastrophic turn in May 2025. After scoring over 1,000 points and leading Prawira Bandung to a league championship in 2023, Shaw was arrested for ordering 132 cannabis gummies to his Indonesian apartment. Indonesia maintains some of the world's most stringent narcotics laws, classifying cannabis alongside heroin. Initially facing the threat of execution by firing squad, Shaw was ultimately convicted of possession rather than trafficking. In December 2025, he was sentenced to 26 months in prison and a $50,000 fine.

The Struggle with Crohn’s Disease Behind Bars

The core of Shaw's current ordeal is his battle with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition. Shaw had previously used medical cannabis legally in Thailand to manage excruciating symptoms, which led to his "stupid mistake" of ordering the gummies in Indonesia. Now, the lack of "clean," healthy food in the Indonesian penal system has caused his health to deteriorate rapidly. Shaw reports that the fried, oily diet provided by the prison frequently triggers sharp abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Since his arrest, the athlete's weight has plummeted from 245 lbs to 210 lbs, a loss he describes as deeply concerning for his 6ft 11in frame.

Medical Neglect and Growing Health Risks

Medical assessments conducted in November 2025 confirmed the severity of Shaw's condition, noting abdominal pain, mild anemia, and an E. coli infection. Despite recommendations for immediate hospital testing—including a colonoscopy and intestinal ultrasound—Shaw remains in his cell nearly four months later, still awaiting admission to a medical facility. The lack of treatment increases his risk of colorectal cancer and worsening intestinal ulcers. "Even though there's no cure for Crohn's, you have to treat it, or it could get worse," Shaw told the Guardian, appealing for higher authorities to facilitate his transfer to a hospital.